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Talks on Bradford markets ‘a sham’ say shop traders

Shop traders around Oastler Market have accused Bradford Council of just paying “lip-service” to a consultation on a scheme to merge the city’s two markets.

Jeff Frankel, of Sydney’s Jewellers, said every trader in John Street, Rawson Road and Northgate surrounding the market had sent a signed letter to market and Council bosses expressing their views.

They said they would not want to move to the Kirkgate site if it was extended and wanted the Oastler Market and themselves to stay as they are.

“There has not been a proper consultation at all,” Mr Frankel said “Out of everyone we sent the letter to, only the Council leader Dave Green got back to us – there was no other acknowledgement from anyone else.

“Every single trader signed that letter, except the Ministry of Food which is run by the Council.

“As far as we’re concerned there has not been a proper enough consultation for a report to be made and be presented to the Council. The consultation they’ve done is nothing more than lip-service to a consultation.”

Mr Frankel was speaking in response to a Council report summarising the findings of the consultation and questionnaire which will be put before the Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee next week.

As reported in yesterday’s Telegraph & Argus, the report states that the authority is now taking the merger idea to the next stage by drawing up a business plan but it also admits that the final plan for the future of the city markets is “not likely to find support from all traders”.

There are three possible options: l an enlarged Kirkgate market l an enlarged Oastler Shopping Centre l or a joint market somewhere else.

A preferred option should be decided by May or June.

But Mr Frankel and other traders, who sent the letter in October, are critical of the process so far.

Mr Frankel said: “A consultation is supposed to be a two-way thing, people are supposed to speak to each other. All there has been is one meeting about a year ago and then a one-sheet questionnaire. It’s not enough. We want reassurances there will be thorough and detailed consultations.”

Regeneration bosses believe the city will be unable to sustain two markets in the future, especially once Westfield’s Broadway shopping centre opens but the resounding response from traders is that they did not want to move.

The Council’s portfolio holder for markets, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “I went to visit Mr Frankel personally just last week. I can quite understand why people don’t want to move, it’s disruptive to their business, however no decision has yet been made.

“The regeneration scrutiny committee has asked to see regular updates on the markets and that is why the report has been produced. We are only mid-way through looking at the different options for the future of the markets. “Most people would agree that with Westfield coming we have to now look at other parts of the city centre.

“Our markets are a big part of the shopping offer in this part of the city and therefore it’s vitally important that we make the right decision for their future, so they continue to be successful not just for now but for decades to come.”

Comments

Avro
8:46am Sat 18 Jan 14

"Regeneration bosses believe the city will be unable to sustain two markets in the future, especially once Westfield’s Broadway shopping centre opens"

Bradford Council have previously claimed that that Westfield would revitalise the rest of the city centre, which is clearly looking rather dubious with regeneration bosses now stating that Bfd will not be able to support two markets!

"Regeneration bosses believe the city will be unable to sustain two markets in the future, especially once Westfield’s Broadway shopping centre opens"
Bradford Council have previously claimed that that Westfield would revitalise the rest of the city centre, which is clearly looking rather dubious with regeneration bosses now stating that Bfd will not be able to support two markets!Avro

"Regeneration bosses believe the city will be unable to sustain two markets in the future, especially once Westfield’s Broadway shopping centre opens"

Bradford Council have previously claimed that that Westfield would revitalise the rest of the city centre, which is clearly looking rather dubious with regeneration bosses now stating that Bfd will not be able to support two markets!

Score: 13

sorrow&anger
10:06am Sat 18 Jan 14

As the sorry recent history of our city shows, the Council only consults because it's a legal requirement. If it wasn't, they wouldn't. City Hall believes that it always knows best and that it's citizens know nothing. That is why Bradford is an efficient, vibrant, thriving, metropolis and the envy of all who visit.

As the sorry recent history of our city shows, the Council only consults because it's a legal requirement. If it wasn't, they wouldn't. City Hall believes that it always knows best and that it's citizens know nothing. That is why Bradford is an efficient, vibrant, thriving, metropolis and the envy of all who visit.sorrow&anger

As the sorry recent history of our city shows, the Council only consults because it's a legal requirement. If it wasn't, they wouldn't. City Hall believes that it always knows best and that it's citizens know nothing. That is why Bradford is an efficient, vibrant, thriving, metropolis and the envy of all who visit.

Score: 15

Thee Voice of Reason
10:12am Sat 18 Jan 14

They're Bradford Council, they do what they want.

And claim no responsibility for their actions.

They're Bradford Council, they do what they want.
And claim no responsibility for their actions.Thee Voice of Reason

They're Bradford Council, they do what they want.

And claim no responsibility for their actions.

Score: 8

Storck
12:19pm Sat 18 Jan 14

If both markets are full then there would be no need to combine them. If they are not full then the council are correct that two can not be sustained. The only other way would be to up the rent of those stalls in the markets so that the council is not subsidising the upkeep of the markets. The building and upkeep should be covered by the rent with no input from the general council funds.

If both markets are full then there would be no need to combine them. If they are not full then the council are correct that two can not be sustained. The only other way would be to up the rent of those stalls in the markets so that the council is not subsidising the upkeep of the markets. The building and upkeep should be covered by the rent with no input from the general council funds.Storck

If both markets are full then there would be no need to combine them. If they are not full then the council are correct that two can not be sustained. The only other way would be to up the rent of those stalls in the markets so that the council is not subsidising the upkeep of the markets. The building and upkeep should be covered by the rent with no input from the general council funds.

Score: 1

Joedavid
12:33pm Sat 18 Jan 14

Storck wrote…

If both markets are full then there would be no need to combine them. If they are not full then the council are correct that two can not be sustained. The only other way would be to up the rent of those stalls in the markets so that the council is not subsidising the upkeep of the markets. The building and upkeep should be covered by the rent with no input from the general council funds.

One thing being missed is the third unused market behind the present one that has a proposal to be opened as an Asian market this could well have some of the present stall holders go into it thus help to create more empty stalls on top of Westfield causing closures.

[quote][p][bold]Storck[/bold] wrote:
If both markets are full then there would be no need to combine them. If they are not full then the council are correct that two can not be sustained. The only other way would be to up the rent of those stalls in the markets so that the council is not subsidising the upkeep of the markets. The building and upkeep should be covered by the rent with no input from the general council funds.[/p][/quote]One thing being missed is the third unused market behind the present one that has a proposal to be opened as an Asian market this could well have some of the present stall holders go into it thus help to create more empty stalls on top of Westfield causing closures.Joedavid

Storck wrote…

If both markets are full then there would be no need to combine them. If they are not full then the council are correct that two can not be sustained. The only other way would be to up the rent of those stalls in the markets so that the council is not subsidising the upkeep of the markets. The building and upkeep should be covered by the rent with no input from the general council funds.

One thing being missed is the third unused market behind the present one that has a proposal to be opened as an Asian market this could well have some of the present stall holders go into it thus help to create more empty stalls on top of Westfield causing closures.

Score: 4

Bradfordian1
12:55pm Sat 18 Jan 14

This is typical of a Council who just doesn't have any concept of what shoppers in the district want and certainly don't care about business/stall holders.
They seem happy for pound shops though and the odd rag & bone horse & cart drinking and washing in the multi-million pound town hall lake!
Leave it to the council, they'll knock the markets down, wait years and then make a big announcement that building will start.

This is typical of a Council who just doesn't have any concept of what shoppers in the district want and certainly don't care about business/stall holders.
They seem happy for pound shops though and the odd rag & bone horse & cart drinking and washing in the multi-million pound town hall lake!
Leave it to the council, they'll knock the markets down, wait years and then make a big announcement that building will start.Bradfordian1

This is typical of a Council who just doesn't have any concept of what shoppers in the district want and certainly don't care about business/stall holders.
They seem happy for pound shops though and the odd rag & bone horse & cart drinking and washing in the multi-million pound town hall lake!
Leave it to the council, they'll knock the markets down, wait years and then make a big announcement that building will start.

Score: 4

Ahrmen Aleg
1:34pm Sat 18 Jan 14

The fact is all markets are struggling.
The number of empty units in Oastler shows I.

For any business to move there is substantial disruption and associated costs.
Many remaining have been there 20 years or more.

Yes councillor Hinchcliffe we know Morrisons want the Oastler site refurbished so badly and expensively with taxpayer money 10 years ago.
It costs them in the region of £25 million to build from scratch a retail outlet that suits their modern "Market Place" way.

So offer significant and serious compensation and I am sure the traders will move into Kirkgate.
The retailers can move out of Arndale/Kirgate to enlarge the market into your great white elephant that will be Broadway.

Money talks.

Does it not councillors.

The fact is all markets are struggling.
The number of empty units in Oastler shows I.
For any business to move there is substantial disruption and associated costs.
Many remaining have been there 20 years or more.
Yes councillor Hinchcliffe we know Morrisons want the Oastler site refurbished so badly and expensively with taxpayer money 10 years ago.
It costs them in the region of £25 million to build from scratch a retail outlet that suits their modern "Market Place" way.
So offer significant and serious compensation and I am sure the traders will move into Kirkgate.
The retailers can move out of Arndale/Kirgate to enlarge the market into your great white elephant that will be Broadway.
Money talks.
Does it not councillors.Ahrmen Aleg

The fact is all markets are struggling.
The number of empty units in Oastler shows I.

For any business to move there is substantial disruption and associated costs.
Many remaining have been there 20 years or more.

Yes councillor Hinchcliffe we know Morrisons want the Oastler site refurbished so badly and expensively with taxpayer money 10 years ago.
It costs them in the region of £25 million to build from scratch a retail outlet that suits their modern "Market Place" way.

So offer significant and serious compensation and I am sure the traders will move into Kirkgate.
The retailers can move out of Arndale/Kirgate to enlarge the market into your great white elephant that will be Broadway.

Money talks.

Does it not councillors.

Score: 3

Albion.
2:41pm Sat 18 Jan 14

Bradfordian1 wrote…

This is typical of a Council who just doesn't have any concept of what shoppers in the district want and certainly don't care about business/stall holders.
They seem happy for pound shops though and the odd rag & bone horse & cart drinking and washing in the multi-million pound town hall lake!
Leave it to the council, they'll knock the markets down, wait years and then make a big announcement that building will start.

From the poor business that both markets seem to be doing, I would't say THEY are what shoppers in the district want. If they want to keep both places going, let them pay the full maintenance costs.

[quote][p][bold]Bradfordian1[/bold] wrote:
This is typical of a Council who just doesn't have any concept of what shoppers in the district want and certainly don't care about business/stall holders.
They seem happy for pound shops though and the odd rag & bone horse & cart drinking and washing in the multi-million pound town hall lake!
Leave it to the council, they'll knock the markets down, wait years and then make a big announcement that building will start.[/p][/quote]From the poor business that both markets seem to be doing, I would't say THEY are what shoppers in the district want. If they want to keep both places going, let them pay the full maintenance costs.Albion.

Bradfordian1 wrote…

This is typical of a Council who just doesn't have any concept of what shoppers in the district want and certainly don't care about business/stall holders.
They seem happy for pound shops though and the odd rag & bone horse & cart drinking and washing in the multi-million pound town hall lake!
Leave it to the council, they'll knock the markets down, wait years and then make a big announcement that building will start.

From the poor business that both markets seem to be doing, I would't say THEY are what shoppers in the district want. If they want to keep both places going, let them pay the full maintenance costs.

Score: 4

bhuna156
5:17pm Sat 18 Jan 14

Oastler is a good market, Kirkgate market is mediocre.
I think it would be a good idea to combine Kirgate and Oastler markets at Oastler, and use the market space at the Kirkgate shopping centre for a food court or more stores.

Oastler is a good market, Kirkgate market is mediocre.
I think it would be a good idea to combine Kirgate and Oastler markets at Oastler, and use the market space at the Kirkgate shopping centre for a food court or more stores.bhuna156

Oastler is a good market, Kirkgate market is mediocre.
I think it would be a good idea to combine Kirgate and Oastler markets at Oastler, and use the market space at the Kirkgate shopping centre for a food court or more stores.

Score: 0

Thee Voice of Reason
7:44pm Sat 18 Jan 14

Wasn't it Cllr Greens idea to shut the market above kirkgate only for stalls never to return?
Used to be a great market that one.

Wasn't it Cllr Greens idea to shut the market above kirkgate only for stalls never to return?
Used to be a great market that one.Thee Voice of Reason

Wasn't it Cllr Greens idea to shut the market above kirkgate only for stalls never to return?
Used to be a great market that one.

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